The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Coolant/antifreeze amount

The OP's photo shows why one should use de-mineralized water. There is so much calcium in our well water that my bones are getting stronger by the day and I have to clean the on-demand water heater annually. Distilled water for irons is cheap and should be used if you have high mineral content water. Make sure you tell your wife you used it up or buy more before she goes to iron her favorite blouse.

Some antifreeze has or has had sacrificial zinc and a silicate to scrub the insides of the cooling system. This stuff will make short work of any face seals found in several manufacturer's water pumps. Don't ask how I know. On expensive diesel engines one often finds a coolant filter that uses a spin-on element with sacrificial zinc embedded in it. I pulled one off a Cummins marine diesel planning to install it on my AD pickup but then I decided I would die before enough time passed for it to do any good so it's still in one of my parts boxes. On the other hand, it might save the trouble of a reverse flush with all the nasty chemicals that entails.